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This study was designed to evaluate the possible effect of methanol extracts of aerial parts and roots of Alchemilla vulgaris L. (AVA and AVR, respectively) in preventing cisplatin-induced hepatorenal and testicular toxicity in rats. UHPLC/DAD/(−)HESI-MS/MS analysis was performed to determine the detailed phenolic profile of AVA and AVR. The male Wistar rats were orally treated with extracts at three different concentrations (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg b.w.) for 10 days and toxicity was induced by injection of single dose of cisplatin on the 5th day (7.5 mg/kg b.w.). Determination of serum biochemical markers of hepatorenal and testicular tissue injury, as well as oxidative-stress parameters in tissues and histopathological study, were performed. Treatments with AVA and AVR significantly attenuated the levels of serum parameters of liver, kidneys and testicles injury, tissue's morphology and parameters of oxidative stress caused by an application of the cisplatin. Chromatographic analysis showed the presence of more than 20 different phenolic compounds in extracts where ellagic acid, catechin, and catechin gallate were dominant components in both extracts. The obtained results indicate that A. vulgaris extracts may be used in preventing cisplatin-induced toxicity during chemotherapy as well as in the treatment of oxidative stress-related disorders.

WOS: 000510521700022, Members of the Onosma genus are widely used in folk medicine and they have great interest in the pharmaceutical industry. In this study, phytochemical characterization, antioxidant activity (2,2-dipheny1-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), cupric reducing antioxidant capacity (CIJPRAC), metal chelation, and phosphomolybdenum assays), enzyme inhibition (acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), alpha-amylase, alpha-glucosidase, and tyrosinase), antimicrobial activity (microdilution method), genotoxic and antigenotoxic (by using Drosophila melanogaster larvae and Comet assay) potentials of Onosma sericea Willd. and Onosma stenoloba Hausskn. ex Riedl. were investigated. Additionally, the bioactive compounds were identified by high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) analysis. Generally, O. sericea showed stronger antioxidant activity, while O. stenoloba extract exhibited stronger enzyme inhibitory abilities (cholinesterases and alpha-amylase). The protective effects of extracts, at the concentration range from 25 to 400 mu g/mL, against hydroxyl radical-induced DNA damage were dose-dependent, increasing with a higher dosage. The extracts at the highest concentration (80 mg/mL) showed the absence of genotoxicity in vivo. Antigenotoxic effects were evident after treatment with both extracts, with a percentage reduction of over 80 %. Overall antimicrobial activity of studied extracts was weak, with the lowest minimal inhibitory concentration values (MIC) of 2.5 mg/mL. Taken together, obtained results showed that tested Onosma species can be considered as promising sources of bioactive phytochemicals for pharmacological purposes., Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia [III43004], This study was supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of the Republic of Serbia (Grant No.III43004).

Blackstonia perfoliata (L.) Huds. is known as a highly bitter secoiridoid glycosides-containing plant and as a possible substitute for some Gentianaceae plants in herbal preparations. Nevertheless, its bioactive properties are still unknown. The present study aimed to characterize both, secoiridoid glycosides and phenolic constituents, and to investigate antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activities of B. perfoliata methanolic extract. The secoiridoid glycosides swertiamarin, gentiopicrin, and sweroside were found to be the dominant compounds of the extract, while 23 phenolic compounds were identified in much lower concentrations. Among phenolics, flavanols were the most abundant, which represents a unique feature among Gentianaceae species. The extract showed moderate to weak antioxidant activity with better performance in inhibition of lipid peroxidation than in free radical scavenging activities. The extract showed generally better antifungal properties compared with its antibacterial potential. Also, B. perfoliata demonstrated in vitro anti-inflammatory activity, the extract (50 μg/mL) showed inhibition of cyclooxigenases, COX-1 and COX-2, activities (19.65 and 48.02%, respectively). It also displayed biocompatibility on the immortalized and cancer cells, as no cytotoxic effect was observed. For the first time, the bioactive potential of this species was demonstrated, justifying its usage in pharmaceutical and food products as an alternative for some overexploited and endangered species from the Gentianaceae family.